CHICAGO _ The controversy surrounding Blackhawks assistant coach Marc Crawford is nearing a conclusion.
On Jan. 2, Crawford's suspension will end and he'll resume a career that was threatened by allegations he had physically and verbally abused former players more than a decade ago.
For veteran goaltender Robin Lehner and other Hawks, the only controversy is that Crawford ever was suspended.
"If the standard is what Marc Crawford did (requires rehabilitation) and an apology letter, I think a big, big portion of the league coaches, GMs, presidents, players better start typing," Lehner said Wednesday. "Everyone (better) get ready for their apology letters because if that's the standard from back in the day, a lot of people are guilty of it."
The Hawks' two-week investigation, which the team said in a statement released Monday was done in conjunction with an independent legal counsel, found that Crawford, 58, had been undergoing counseling since 2010 in an effort to "improve and become a better communicator, person and coach."
"We believe that Marc has learned from his past actions and has committed to striving to reform himself and evolve personally and professionally over the last decade," the statement read. "We have experienced no incidents during Marc's coaching tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks."
Recently, the NHL has undergone what some have described as a reckoning. Last month, Flames coach Bill Peters resigned after allegations of making racial slurs toward a former Blackhawks prospect.
Shortly after the Maple Leafs fired Mike Babcock on Nov. 20 for hockey reasons, accusations arose that he had mentally abused former players.
When the Hawks were in Europe on their season-opening trip, Lehner recalls Crawford addressing some of the issues that only recently have come up around the NHL.
"I remember when we were in Prague he was talking to the team about how happy he is that the culture has changed in the NHL," Lehner said, "and that things are going about in a different way and more communication, more back and forth. Not like that dictatorship that it was around the whole league before. He's talked a lot about that.
"He's a good man. So I'm very happy he's (coming) back."
Patrick Kane said he didn't encounter any issues with Crawford, adding that the team has missed his scouting reports of opponents, a duty Kane said Jeremy Colliton has assumed with Crawford away from the team.
"He's been nothing but a first-class guy and just trying to help the team out any way he can," Kane said of Crawford. "He's obviously very passionate, and ever since he's gone away, we've definitely missed him behind the bench. He's a guy that can fire up players. He's a guy that can teach players. Gives you a couple things before the game to think about."
Jonathan Toews confirmed that Crawford, who is in his first season with the Hawks, had talked about his past behavior shortly after joining the team.
"Marc definitely made a point at the start of the year to talk about how the relationship between players and coaches has changed," Toews said. "And obviously he's trying to take strides in the right direction. So we have a lot of respect for him and his knowledge and his experience as he's adapting to a new league and a new culture.
"We're looking forward to getting him back in the locker room."
